France’s most decorated actress, nominated for no fewer than 16 César Awards, Isabelle Huppert has made over 100 films in her 45-year career, including The Piano Teacher, 8 Women, and most recently, Elle, for which she is nominated for Best Actress a this year’s Academy Awards. “Since I’m being sent to a deserted island,” says Isabelle Huppert, “I think I would bring books that I have not read yet and that I cannot wait to discover. At the same time I would not want to leave behind books I’ve loved. What a torture! Okay… here is a list of the books I would bring with me. I would not have made the same two weeks ago and I won’t be making the same in a month!”

Below are Isabelle Huppert’s favorite books, available to purchase as a set or individually.

Doris Lessing

I always read this book again just to experience the delight of my first reading. I fell madly in love with everything in that book, the two main characters, Mary and Moses, and Africa not only described but conveyed through the writing. A true writer makes a continent come to life. I met Doris Lessing once in London while I was performing, in English, a Friedrich Schiller play.

Sei Shonagon

All of Japan is in this book. A true marvel. Set at the Emperor’s court during the 10th century, a woman takes notes and becomes our contemporary. I could have performed that woman. I feel very close to Mizoguchi and Ozu’s actresses.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Maybe the greatest novel ever written, but I haven’t read them all! It’s all of humankind head-on by Dostoevsky. A mix of sadism and humor. In Poland I shot a movie by Andrzej Wajda based on this great book.

Charles Baudelaire

Cameron Crowe

I bet there aren’t any movie theaters on the desert island, so I will bring books that remind me of cinema. I will try to secretly fill a whole luggage. Some interviews collections: Hitchcock-Truffaut, Orson Welles, Ava Gardner…Officially here is one, with the sublime Billy Wilder.

Alain Ducasse

Like movie theaters, are there going to be any restaurants on this island? Certainly not, so I want to read some recipes at least. Tribute to Alain Duscasse. If I had the space I would also bring books by Jamie Oliver, Ferran Adrià, Bocuse…

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Grand lists is a curated arts site specializing in books and movies selected by 100 public figures and celebrities, ranging from designers, musicians, artists, actors, performers and directors, to politicians, novelists, scientists and athletes.